IPL 2025: Why was Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel fined Rs 12 lakh after Mumbai Indians match?

Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel, whose team was on a dream run in the ongoing IPL 2025, tasted his first defeat last night, losing by 12 runs to Mumbai Indians in New Delhi. To add salt into his wounds, he was fined ₹12 lakh for maintaining slow over-rate.

 

MI scored 205 for 5 in 20 overs while DC were all out for 193 in 19 overs.

 

"Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel has been fined after his team maintained a slow over-rate during Match No. 29 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 against Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. As this was his team's first offence of the season under Article 2.22 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which pertains to minimum over-rate offences, Patel was fined INR 12 lakhs," the BCCI said in a release.

 

It added to Patel’s struggle on the field – he has not taken a wicket in five matches and has managed only 67 runs with the bat so far.

 

Meanwhile, former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who is playing as an Impact Player in the IPL 2025, turned back the clock yesterday in the match against Delhi Capitals, with tactical moves from the dugout, which proved crucial in the thrilling win.

 

Despite Karun Nair's brilliant 40-ball-89, MI managed to pull off the heist, thanks to an eventful 19^th over by wrist-spinner Karn Sharma which saw three run outs. Rohit Sharma had indicated to head coach Mahela Jayawardene to bring in Karn Sharma, and had also asked for a ball change after the 11th over. The spinner went on to pick 3/36, and Karun fell to Mitchell Santner, done in by the grip and turn.

 

Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav (2/23) and young leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam (2/41) helped Delhi Capitals restrict the strong MI batting lineup to 205, with Tilak Varma scoring an attractive half-century (59 off 33 balls).

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